Essays & Papers﻿Discuss the Various Types of Fear present in the crucible - Paper Example

﻿Discuss the Various Types of Fear present in the crucible - Fear Essay Example

Discuss the Various Types of Fear present in the crucible

In Arthur Miller’s, ‘The Crucible,’ Miller has displayed a society based around fear - ﻿Discuss the Various Types of Fear present in the crucible introduction. Miller has used the symbolic representation of Salem throughout the notorious ‘witchcraft trial’ period to highlight the notion of fear that led to extreme hysteria. Such hysteria engulfed the whole community into a group of individuals whose actions were motivated by fear of condemnation. This representation has allowed miller to express his views on contemporary America throughout the McCarthy reign, as the similarity of fear as the ‘driving force’ for society is drawn attention too. Furthermore, Miller has identified the different types of fear, which influence individual’s actions throughout the play. Such fears have been categorized into three main areas, which are: Fear of others

Need

essay sample on "﻿Discuss the Various Types of Fear present in the crucible"

? We will write a cheap essay sample on "﻿Discuss the Various Types of Fear present in the crucible" specifically for you for only $12.90/page

In a society filled with hysteria, and condemning of others, a lack of trust resulted. Subsequently, a fear of others came to fruition, as even close friends feared being condemned by each other. Referring to quote one:

ABIGAIL, pulling her away from the window: I told him everything; he knows now, he knows everything we- BETTY: You drank blood, Abby! You didn’t tell him that! ABIGAIL: Betty, you never say that again! You will never- BETTY: You did, you did! You drank a charm to kill John Proctor’s wife! You drank a charm to kill Goody Proctor! ABIGAIL, smashes her across the face: Shut it! Now shut it! In a society filled with suspicion, such as the witch trial period in Salem, Miller has presented the notion of who can one really trust? This is as it is continually highlighted in ‘The Crucible,’ that individuals aren’t able to trust anyone but themselves. Thus creating a sense of fear surrounding all other community members, as the idea that someone was conspiring against them became a common thought.

The turn of events that occurred in ‘The Crucible’ derive from the simple action of dancing that was performed by a group of young women in the woods.
In a strict puritan society, where dancing was considered as a ‘sin,’ Miller has reinforced the lengths one will go too when in fear of the law. As the character Abigail was aware of the repercussions of these actions, she extended to lie and condemn others to escape persecution. Referring to quote 2

ABIGAIL: She sends her spirit on me in church; she makes me laugh at prayer! PARRIS: She have often laughed at prayer! ABIGAIL: She comes to me every night to go and drink blood! TITUBA: You beg me to conjure! She beg me make charm- ABIGAIL: Don’t lie! To Hale: She comes to me while I sleep; she’s always making me dream corruptions! TITUBA: Why you say that, Abby? The dialogue displayed reinforces the lengths that Abigail will go to as a result of being in fear of persecution. Miller has presented the idea that in a society with a strict and questionable legal system, corrupt individuals such as Abigail will be able to go extreme lengths such as the condemning of others to free themselves. The irony that Abigail was the one encouraging witchcraft throughout the initial scenes, and then becomes a major part of others condemning highlights that corrupt individuals who conspire against and condemn others are usually in fear of guilt and punishment themselves. Miller has also reinforced this notion to display that this quality was present in a large proportions of individuals throughout the McCarthyism period in America. Thus, displaying that a society with a prominent fear of the law, will result in individuals condemning others to escape personal punishment.

In the climatic ending to ‘The Crucible’, John Proctor recognizes that to die from being true to oneself, is more meaningful than too live for nothing. In a scenario where Proctor is faced with death, or to willingly confess to crimes he did not commit, Proctor chooses to free himself from the shackles of society by choosing death. Proctor created a sense of liberation to be the person he also strived to be by not succumbing to the pressure of the town to confess. Reffering to quote 3: “He have his goodness now, god forbid I take that away from him.” Miller has recognized that although fear of the law and others are driving factors for individual’s actions, a fear of not being true to one’s self takes priority over all, because of the
sense of ‘goodness’ they receive.

Arthur Millers The Crucible deals with a number of fears, which drive individuals into committing certain actions. However, has shown there is still hope for humanity with individuals still recognizing the necessity of being true to themselves. Furthermore, Miller presents the notion that to create a society without hysteria and suspicion, it must be accompanied with the relinquishing of fear of the law and individuals in the community.